295th Week, Revelation Chapters 19-22 & A Calling(Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Revelation Chapter 19

Revelation 19

Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT

Reading Revelation chapter 19 reminded me of the awesome power that the name of Jesus brings. Verse 12, speaking of Jesus, “and his name is the Word of God.” Verse 15, “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” Verse 21, ”The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse (Jesus).”

Here I picture Jesus speaking out against Satan, the same scripture that we have access to right now in our own Bibles. If you recall, Ephesians  Chapter 6 speaks of the armor of God. Verse 17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit”, which is the Word of God. The name of Jesus and God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy. When we pray against Satan and his followers, our prayers are most effective when we speak the Word of God. That is why it is so important to be in His Word daily so that it gets into our heart and mind. Using God’s Word in prayer, not only defends us, but it makes us an offensive threat to the devil. We are actually attacking him, and we are able to tear down evil strongholds and powers of darkness. Remember also that the devil must flee when we use the name of Jesus.

PRAYER

Thank You, God, for equipping us with the most powerful weapon that exists, Your Word. I pray that each of us learn to use it more effectively as we go through our Christian lives. AMEN

Tuesday, Revelation Chapter 20

Revelation 20

Verse 12

Mindy Strayer

Verse 12:  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

THOUGHT

Well, there it is everybody. We have all heard many times before that each one of us will stand before the throne of God and have our lives judged.  Nothing will be hidden, and no one will be able to skip God’s judgment.  Our words, our actions, they are all being recorded in BIG books right now, and we will be held accountable. How do we get into that Book of Life, because I do not want to be thrown into the lake of fire? 

We all know the answer, don’t we? It is all dependent on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Are our lives covered with the blood of Jesus? Have we been faithful to His calling on our lives? Meaning, have we been faithful in doing our part in spreading the Gospel to the people that God puts in our path? How are we showing God’s love in our relationships with other people? 

Now is a great time for us to ask ourselves. What have I done for God lately? And, what have I done for the people of God lately?  Am I ever thankful that I know Jesus as my Personal Savior.

PRAYER

Lord God, we praise and honor You for You are worthy. We thank You for the profound and highly effective Word of God from the book of Revelation. I pray that it would speak to our hearts in a new way that would cause our devotion to You and to Your purposes climb to record highs. Thank You for

Jesus, our Redeemer, who lives forever more. We love You so much. AMEN

Wednesday, Revelation Chapter 21

Revelation 21

Verse 5

Mindy Strayer

Verse 5:  And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

THOUGHT

Wow, you know what? I think God did a pretty fabulous job at creating the earth and all that is within it. I also enjoy his creativity as I gaze upon the night sky and marvel at the beauty of the stars. I don’t know if any of you have been on the Hubble telescope website but the pictures that have been taken of the different parts of the universe look just like how I would picture parts of heaven where the Lord lives.   Beauty like nothing you have ever seen before. 

Our Bibles tell us that everything that is in existence right now will pass away, and God will create everything new. The old order of things will pass away, verse 4.  The Bible says in verse 23 that the sun and the moon’s light will not be needed for the glory of the Lord will be the light source. The description of the Holy City sounds so beautiful that it is hard for me to even wrap my mind around what it must look like. And this is just the physical type stuff. What about the newness of living a life without sin and all the destruction that goes along with it. No crying, no pain, no mourning, no death, no worrying. Then there is the newness of having God dwelling with us, living with us, being with us. Not just a part of God, but all of Him.

How are we even going to stand it? (I mean that in a good, excited way)  There are times when we get to experience his presence here on earth, maybe during worship or prayer time, but when God makes all things new, I think that we will experience His presence in a new way. He won’t be confined to our straight line, boxed-in way of thinking and feeling. His presence in our lives will have more dimensions, and our relationship with Him will be deeper than the deepest sea I think. What a great chapter this chapter 21 is. I loved it.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for giving us such a bright and rich future. We look forward to that awesome time when You make everything new. You are an Awesome God! AMEN

Thursday, Revelation Chapter 22

Revelation 22

Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. We have reached the end of this incredible story of God’s creation.  What a period in history it will be when Jesus comes! Not just for us human beings but for God Himself, I should think. He created us because He loves relationships, and He wanted to make Himself known. He gave us freewill that we would choose to love Him back which is much more meaningful than if he would have created us like robots who automatically do what they are programmed to do. Where is the depth in that? 

In the words of Dean Sherman, “Freedom to choose to return love, or not to return it, is the basis for relationship. Free Will is what makes us human.”  Mentioned 3 times in this last chapter are the words of Jesus who says, “I am coming soon.” God, in His infinite wisdom, has already determined the appropriate time for His return. For us believers it can’t be soon enough.  For those who don’t yet have a relationship with the Lord, His waiting to return is a blessing and showcases His great mercy and true desire that ALL should come to know Him. What a patient and loving God we serve!

PRAYER

Lord God, we thank You for creating us. We see from Your Word in reading about the story of mankind, it has always been about relationship with You and with each other. Help us, we pray, to value most of all relationships with You and with other people. Thank You for the life of Jesus Christ who has made a way to live with You forever. Lord, let our lives be a message to the world of who You are. Help us, we pray, to spread the Good News to all that You place in our path while we are on this earth. We Love You.  AMEN

Friday, God's gift for everyone - Life Eternal

Jeanie Boldt

Verse:  John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

How to become a follower of Jesus Christ

1.  Recognize your need for God's forgiveness.  The Bible teaches that all people have sinned and fall short of God's perfect standard. 

    Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

2.  Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.  Jesus took the punishment for our sins through His death on the cross and conquered death through His resurrection. 

    Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

3.  Repent and turn to God.  Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God in faith and obedience. 

    Acts 3:19  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out. 

4.  Place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Salvation is received by faith, not earned by good works.

    Romans 10:9  If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  

5.  Follow Jesus daily.  Becoming a Christian is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Christ.  Grow through prayer, reading the Bible, worship, and fellowship with other believers.  

    Luke 9:23  Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  

Your personal prayer.

Lord, Jesus, I know that I  ___________ am a sinner and need Your forgiveness.  I believe that You died for my sins and rose again.  I turn from my sin and place my trust in You as my Savior and Lord.  Help me follow You and live for You all my days.  AMEN

Romans 10:9-10  If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.